Chester Healthcare Foundation Awards Mini-Grant to Mid-Carolina AHEC

Vickie Fletcher, RN, HOP Coordinator

The Chester Healthcare Foundation awarded a $2,250 mini-grant to Mid-Carolina AHEC in January to support Chester Regional Medical Center’s Healthy Outcomes Plan (HOP). In a county-wide effort to decrease hospital readmissions and emergency visits, Chester County’s Healthy Outcomes Plan will focus on patient education and compliance, routine patient monitoring, and provide access to specialized services. The plan supports Chester Healthcare Foundation’s mission, which is “to support programs, projects and/or services of prevention and education which enhance, improve and/or promote the health and wellness with measurable outcomes of the citizens of Chester County.”

Vickie Fletcher, RN, HOP Coordinator, is charged with implementation of this patient-centered approach to addressing improved patient outcomes.  As an experienced nurse and Chester County resident, Mrs. Fletcher has knowledge of the county’s resources and is willing to reach out to providers and agencies to effectively identify, access, and align services to enhance the project’s outcomes.  Health indicators estimate that 54.8 percent of Chester County residents are diagnosed with heart disease (5.3 percent), hypertension (38.2 percent) and/or diabetes (11.3 percent).  Patient education and medical supplies will be purchased with funding from the mini-grant to support improved patient outcomes through education, self-monitoring, and compliance.

Mr. William H. Bundy, President, Chester Healthcare Foundation, former Chester Regional Medical Center CEO and former Mid-Carolina AHEC board chairman, is actively involved in selecting and supporting innovative and creative collaborations that respond to Chester County’s community needs.  Outcomes from this project will be shared with the Chester Healthcare Foundation, as well as, with health professions programs across the state for analysis and potential replication.   

For more information about the program, please contact Mid-Carolina AHEC at 803-286-4121.